Kamal Haasan Hits Out At Donald Trump Over "Permission To Buy Russian Oil", Says "Mind Your Business"

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has sharply rejected a claim by a senior US official that Washington had given India "permission" to buy Russian oil, stressing that India is a sovereign country and does not act on orders from abroad.

The Rajya Sabha MP and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief directly addressed the US President in a social media post, saying, "Dear Mr. President, We, the people of India, belong to a free and sovereign nation. We no longer take orders from distant foreign shores. Please mind your own business to the best of your abilities," he wrote on X.

India Russian oil debate: Kamal Haasan seeks mutual respect between nations

Kamal Haasan also linked the issue to wider global stability and diplomacy. "Mutual respect between sovereign nations is the only foundation of lasting global peace. We wish your country and its people peace and prosperity," Haasan added, as the comment drew wide attention among younger social media users in India.

The comments came after a statement by Scott Bessent, described as the US Treasury Secretary and an aide of Trump, who spoke about Russia-related oil trade and India’s role in the middle of supply disruptions triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

India Russian oil row: what the US official and Trump said

In an interview with Fox Business, Bessent claimed Washington had allowed India to keep buying from Moscow. He said, "The Indians have been very good actors. We had asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did. They were going to substitute it with US oil. But to ease the temporary gap of oil around the world, we have given them permission to accept Russian oil. We may un-sanction other Russian oil."

Trump was asked about Bessent's remarks and whether the US was considering any other moves in response to the global spike in energy prices. "If there were some, I would do it just to take a little of the pressure off," he said when pressed on possible steps.

India Russian oil policy: government stresses energy security

The Indian government has underlined that fuel supplies remain steady despite heightened tensions near key routes. A statement from the Centre said, "Despite rising tensions on the Hormuz Route, India's energy supply remains secure and stable. India has diversified its crude oil sources from 27 to 40 countries, ensuring multiple alternative supply routes. In the national interest, India purchases oil from wherever the most competitive and affordable rates are available."

Officials have further stated that India has always made its own decisions on crude purchases and has not relied on clearance from any foreign capital when deciding whether to import Russian oil or source barrels from other producers in the global market.

India Russian oil criticism: Congress targets foreign policy approach

The controversy has also turned into a political flashpoint at home, with the Congress attacking the government over the "permission" remark. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, said, "India's foreign policy emerges from the collective will of our people. It should be rooted in our history, our geography, and our spiritual ethos based on Satya and Ahimsa. What we are witnessing today is not policy. It is the result of the exploitation of a compromised individual."

As global crude markets remain volatile, Trump has tried to reassure US viewers about supply levels. "I think that the oil pressure-- there's a lot of oil. We've got a lot of oil. Our country has a tremendous amount and we have, there's a lot of oil out there. That'll get healed very quickly," Trump said, arguing that availability would stabilise conditions.

The exchange among Kamal Haasan, US figures, the Indian government and the Congress reflects deeper debates over India’s strategic autonomy on energy purchases, especially Russian oil, as New Delhi balances domestic needs, global pressure and long-term foreign policy choices.